Last Saturday, June 16, was a great day to celebrate Alpha Family Center’s 20th year in Cedar Springs, with Lifewalk—the annual fundraising event. Not only was it their 15th annual Lifewalk, but it was also Alpha’s 5th year as the Alpha Family Center, which they’ve been known as since becoming independent of the Alpha Women’s Center of Grand Rapids.

Post photo by Judy Reed

Walkers registered at Morley Park in Cedar Springs Saturday morning. Everyone who walked received a “Baby I’m on Board” T-shirt that relays the message that the wearer is supporting life. Pastor Craig Owens, along with a local praise team, began the event with worship music, a hearty welcome, instructions about the walk, and an opening prayer. A crowd of over 150 walkers followed behind the Lifewalk banner for the 1.5 mile walk down through the heart of Cedar Springs, stopping at key points to pray for our community leaders, churches, Alpha, and schools. The walkers returned to the park for a time of refreshment, door prizes, and a report that included the total amount raised this year, which was nearly $12,000!

Alpha helps over 125 families per month, and gives away 18,000 baby and maternity items per year. They also offer free pregnancy self-testing, parenting classes and support for abuse, miscarriage, post-abortion and sexual integrity classes.

Tara Triezenberg shared her touching story of her own teen pregnancy, and how she chose life for her baby. Tara shared how she was being encouraged to abort her baby by classmates and school counselors. “She made a brave decision and chose adoption to a stable, loving family who is now raising her eleven-year-old son,” explained Executive Director Lorrie Shelton. “Today Tara is not only a graduate of high school, but also of college and is an elementary teacher in Grand Rapids. She and her husband Mike have a beautiful 3-year-old little girl, Grace, and her little sister, Faith, is due in September. Tara is a true testament of the good influence Alpha Family Center has on our community.”

Pastor David Vander Meer shared about the importance of supporting Alpha Family Center and the service they provide to help others. His closing prayer was for protection of unborn babies. Colorful balloons filled the sky in memory of the 52,000 babies that Shelton said have been aborted since abortion became legal in 1973.

If you would like to donate to Alpha Family Center, you can donate through their website: www.alphafamilycentercs.org, send a check to their address: P.O. Box 450, Cedar Springs or by stop by the Center at: 6 N. First St, Cedar Springs. For more info call 616-696-2616.